Parma, a new era as manager
After Cristian Chivu’s departure (responsible for their late Serie A safety and now Inter manager) Parma have found an ambitious and surprising solution**.** It is a decision with a clear message: bravery, ambition and vision. President Kyle J. Krause, who in 2021 gave Enzo Maresca his first job (now Chelsea head coach after gaining experience under Guardiola at City), has now selected another emerging talent: Carlos Cuesta. The 1995-born coach has earned his first managerial role and he will be the youngest manager in the 2025/26 Serie A. However, he will bring modern solutions and a great CV, full of experience. He is a true luxury outsider.
Who is Carlos Cuesta: his profile
Born in Palma, Mallorca, Cuesta always had a clear idea of what he wanted to do: to coach. He didn’t have a playing career, but he pursued a journey (between studying and the pitch) that began early within the Atlético Madrid academy, followed by time in Italy with Juventus’ Under-17s, right up to his jump to the Premier League with Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal. In London, he really started gaining proper experience: three seasons with the Gunners, where he grew to Assistant Coach, becoming one of the most trusted staff members and learning all the secrets of a brand of football based on intensity, finding the space, reading the game and rapid transitions. It’s a fast and attacking European style.
There is so much theory to it behind the scenes and now it’s time to put it into practice in Italy.
Cuesta to Parma: vision and future
Parma chose Cuesta for what he represents: freshness, skill and hunger. It is no accident, but the result of timely work led ****by CEO Federico Cherubini, who picked him out as the perfect profile to grow the Gialloblù’s project. Intense interviews, a great feeling and eventually an emphatic “yes”. In Parma there will be a mix of curiosity and excitement. The feeling is that this is no gamble, but the right choice to produce something solid and sustainable.
“Arteta school” lands in Serie A
The reference is inevitable: Cuesta grew side by side with Mikel Arteta, who himself learnt off Guardiola. It is a heavy yet inspiring legacy. At Arsenal, Cuesta progressively took more and more important roles, culminating in becoming Head Assistant, working everyday on methods, tactics, analysis and individual development.
Now everything changes: no longer a vice, but head coach. No longer the Premier League, but Serie A. It’s a new context with different challenges. But the goal hasn’t changed: growing, with a young group, building a clear and recognisable identity.
Young, yes. But with very clear ideas
Cuesta is not simply “the young one”. He has been in important dressing rooms, worked with top players, managed the dynamics of big clubs and developed a qualitative and modern technical approach. He knows that Serie A is a tough league, where every detail makes a difference. And he knows that he will have to learn quickly. But he is ready to put his methods into play, with Parma and for Parma. The Gialloblù are sending a clear message to their opposition: the future is also built by choosing new roads. And Carlos Cuesta is the perfect man for leading them as such. (Photo Getty Images + Website Parma)